Electronic program guide with blackout features

ABSTRACT

An interactive television program guide for supporting programming blackouts is provided. In some embodiments, the interactive television program guide may unschedule the reminding and recording of blacked-out programs that have been scheduled by a user for reminding or recording. In some embodiments, the interactive television program guide may prevent a user from scheduling blacked-out programs for reminding and recording. In some embodiments, the interactive television program guide may prevent a user from ordering blacked-out pay-per-view programs. In some embodiments, the interactive television program guide may provide blackout information in information displays. In some embodiments, the interactive television program guide may provide replacement media for blacked-out programs.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/402,979, filed Mar. 12, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,823,177,which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/075,834,filed Mar. 14, 2008, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,523,477, which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/996,346, filed Nov.28, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,370,343, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 60/253,585, filed Nov. 28, 2000. Thedisclosures of each of these earlier-filed applications are herebyincorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to systems and methods for interactivetelevision applications. More particularly, the present inventionrelates to systems and methods for providing programming blackoutfeatures in interactive television program guides.

Program guides typically provide program listings that indicate thechannels and times of scheduled programs. Users may select a programlisting to, for example, tune to a program and obtain additionalinformation for the program. Program listings and other information inguide screens of the prior art, however, may not always be accuratebecause of programming blackouts. A programming blackout occurs when adistribution facility, or other facility, does not broadcast programmingat the time it was scheduled to be broadcast.

Three illustrative types of blackouts are bandwidth blackouts, affiliateprotection blackouts, and venue protection blackouts. Bandwidthblackouts may occur when a program has larger than typical bandwidthrequirements. For example, a sports program may require more bandwidththan a non-sports program due to its fast-action nature. When a sportsprogram is broadcast, bandwidth may be borrowed from another channel inorder to satisfy the increased bandwidth requirement of the sportsprogram. Borrowing bandwidth from a channel may prevent the broadcast ofa regularly scheduled program in that channel. Thus, a blackout of thatregularly scheduled program occurs.

Affiliate protection blackouts may occur when the same program isscheduled to be broadcast on two separate channels, such as a localnetwork affiliate and a national channel. In an attempt to protect theinterests of the local network affiliate, the television serviceprovider may black out the commonly scheduled program on the nationalchannel in the locality of the local network affiliate.

Venue protection blackouts may occur, for example, when the provider ofa live event wants to protect the venue of the live event by preventingthe event from being televised. For example, when a sporting event, orother event, is not sold out, the sports team may prohibit the broadcastof the event in an attempt to increase ticket sales and attendance forthe event and for future events. Thus, a programming blackout may occuron the channel scheduled to broadcast the event.

Program guide listings may falsely indicate the availability ofunavailable or ‘blacked-out’ programs because program guide data istypically provided to the program guide in advance of the actualbroadcast of a program. Programming blackouts can affect various programguide features. For example, a user may select a television programlisting to view a program, unaware that the program has been blackedout. The guide will tune to the channel but some other program or ablank screen will be presented. Some users may find this undesirable. Asanother example, a user may set a reminder for a program that is laterblacked out. When the reminder is shown, the user may attempt to tune tothe program for which the reminder was scheduled. The absence of theprogram may confuse or even frustrate the user who must then return tothe guide and search for another program. As yet another example, a usermay schedule the recording of a program that is later blacked out. Theprogram guide may attempt to record the blacked-out program, but someother program or a blank screen presented on the channel of theblacked-out program will be recorded instead. Some users may find thisundesirable.

When pay-per-view programs are blacked out users may be permitted toorder the blacked-out pay-per-view programs. Upon ordering a blacked outprogram, the user may tune to watch the program only to be presentedwith another program or a blank screen. This may cause the useruncertainty as to whether or not the ordered program has still chargedto the user's account.

It would be desirable therefore to provide an interactive televisionprogram guide that includes features for supporting programmingblackouts.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to systems and methods for providingblackout features in interactive television program guides. Illustrativefeatures of various embodiments of the present invention are described,for example, in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/253,585,filed Nov. 28, 2000, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein inits entirety.

In various embodiments of the present invention, blackout information isprovided to an interactive television program guide. This blackoutinformation may be provided with or separate from other program guidedata. The blackout information may include, for example, informationindicating a blacked-out program, such as the program's unique ID ortime and channel information. In some embodiments, blackout informationmay include blackout flags that identify programs as being blacked-out.In some embodiments, blackout information may be include invalidpurchase prices (e.g., a negative purchase price) for blacked-outpay-per-view programs. In some embodiments, blackout information mayinclude the reason for the blackout. The blackout information may alsoinclude, for example, a reference to replacement media such as a uniqueidentifier for alternate content, a URL, a channel indicator, or otherreference to replacement media. In some embodiments, the blackoutinformation may include the replacement media itself (e.g., video clips,bitmaps, or other such media). In some embodiments, the replacementmedia may be targeted advertisements. For example, a sports team thathas chosen to black out an event may choose to broadcast a team videoadvertisement in its place. As another example, advertisements targetedto a user's interests (e.g., as determined by a user viewing historymaintained by the program guide) may be provided in place of ablacked-out program.

The program guide uses the blackout information to make changes invarious program guide features that may be affected by a blackout. Forexample, the program guide may replace the titles of previouslyscheduled television programs with a blackout programming notice orindicator. Additional information pertaining to an indicated blackoutsuch as, for example, cable headend contact information, the type ofblackout, and previously scheduled program information may be providedto the user in response to a user instructing the guide to provideadditional information for a blacked-out program. In some embodiments,the guide may present the user with a list of recommended replacementmedia.

In some embodiments, the program guide may provide features inconnection with the recording of blacked-out programs. For example, theprogram guide may prevent the recording of a blacked-out program orpostpone the recording of a blacked-out program until the program iseventually, if ever, broadcast. As another example, a program guide mayautomatically record a replacement program when a user has scheduled therecording of a blacked-out program.

Some embodiments may provide blackout features for pay-per-viewprograms. For example, the program guide may provide replacement mediarecommendations for blacked-out pay-per-view programs. As anotherexample, the program guide may notify a user (e.g., in an overlay) thatthe fee for a pay-per-view program that is blacked out subsequent to theuser ordering the program will not be charged to the user's account. Inyet another example, reminder options and ordering capabilities forblacked-out pay-per-view programs may be disabled. In some embodiments,the program guide may eliminate blacked-out pay-per-view programlistings from program guide listing screens (e.g., when invalid purchaseprices have been associated with the blacked-out pay-per-view programs)to prevent a user from ordering or setting reminders for blacked-outpay-per-view programs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features of the invention, its nature and various advantageswill become more apparent upon consideration of the following detaileddescription, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inwhich like reference characters refer to like parts throughout, and inwhich:

FIG. 1 is an illustrative arrangement for an interactive program guidesystem that supports blackout features in accordance with one embodimentof the present invention;

FIGS. 2-7 are illustrative arrangements of the interactive applicationequipment of FIG. 1 in accordance with various embodiments of thepresent invention;

FIGS. 8-9 are illustrative arrangements of the user television equipmentof FIGS. 2-6 in accordance with various embodiments of the presentinvention;

FIG. 10 is an illustrative program listings display screen before ablackout in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 11-13 are illustrative program listings display screens after ablackout in accordance with various embodiments of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 14-17 are illustrative blackout information display screens inaccordance with various embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 18 is an illustrative pay-per-view listings display screen before apay-per-view program blackout in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIGS. 19-20 are illustrative pay-per-view listings display screens aftera pay-per-view program blackout in accordance with various embodimentsof the present invention;

FIG. 21 is an illustrative recommended replacement media display screenin accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 22 a is an illustrative blackout information overlay screen inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 22 b is an illustrative recommended replacement media displayscreen in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 23 is an illustrative reminder list display screen before ablackout in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 24 is an illustrative reminder list display screen after a blackoutin accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 25 is an illustrative record list display screen before a blackoutin accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 26 is an illustrative record list display screen after a blackoutin accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 27 is an illustrative recommended replacement media display screenin accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 28 is an illustrative FLIP display screen in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 29 is an illustrative flowchart describing a method of supportingblackout features in an interactive program guide system in accordancewith one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 30 is an illustrative flowchart describing a general method forsupporting blackouts in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 31 is an illustrative flowchart describing a method for choosing anoptimal method of blackout data transmission in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 32 is an illustrative flowchart describing a method of providingblackout features in interactive program guide display screens inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 33 is an illustrative flowchart describing a method of providingblackout features for pay-per-view programs in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 34 is an illustrative flowchart describing a method of changingreminder and record features for blacked-out programs in accordance withone embodiment of the present invention; and

FIGS. 35-36 are illustrative flowcharts describing methods of changingreminder and record settings as a result of a blackout in accordancewith one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Systems and methods for providing blackout features in interactivetelevision program guide systems may be based on any suitable hardwareplatform or topology. Suitable hardware platforms may include, forexample, satellite receivers, personal computer televisions (PC/TVs),personal computers (e.g., with television tuner cards), cable set-topboxes, televisions, videocassette recorders (VCRs), a combination ofsuch hardware platforms, or any other suitable hardware platform.Illustrative interactive television program guides are described, forexample, in Knee et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,589,892, Knudson et al. U.S.patent application Ser. No. 09/070,555, filed Apr. 30, 1998, and Knudsonet al. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/357,941, filed Jul. 16, 1999,which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

An illustrative system 100 in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention is shown in FIG. 1. Main facility 102 may provideprogramming blackout data and other program guide data from guide datasource 104 to interactive application equipment 106 via communicationspath 108. There may be numerous installations of interactive applicationequipment 106, although only one is shown in FIG. 1 to avoidover-complicating the drawing. Program guide data source 104 of mainfacility 102 may be any suitable computer or computer-based system forgenerating, storing, or obtaining program guide data (e.g., manuallyfrom an operator, electronically via a computer network or otherconnection, or via storage media) and putting the data into electronicform for distribution by main facility 102. In the example of FIG. 1,program guide data source 104 provides blackout data and other programguide data. In other embodiments, blackout data and other program guidedata may be provided by separate data sources.

Blackout data may include information that identifies blacked-outprograms such as, for example, titles, channels, and times ofblacked-out programs, or their unique IDs. As another example, blackoutdata may include invalid purchase prices (e.g., negative purchaseprices) for blacked-out pay-per-view programs. In some embodiments,blackout data may include blackout flags that identify programs as beingblacked-out. In some embodiments, blackout data may include the reasonfor the blackout. The blackout data may also include, for example, areference to replacement media such as a unique identifier, a URL, achannel indicator, or other reference to replacement media. In someembodiments, the blackout data may include the replacement media (e.g.,video clips, bitmaps, or other such media). Other program guide data mayinclude, for example, titles, channels, and times of scheduled programs,descriptions of scheduled programs, pay-per-view program data, on-demandmedia data, and other application data.

In some embodiments, data sources may be located at facilities separatefrom main facility 102. For example, external information service 110may provide data to main facility 102 via communications path 112 fordistribution. External information service 110 may be any facilitysuitable for providing program guide data to main facility 102 overcommunications path 112. External information service 110 may provide,for example, blackout data, advertisements, sports information, newsinformation, or any other information. External information service 110may be, for example, a television network or cable system headend. Insome embodiments, external information service 110 may provide datarelevant to a particular locality, such as a local newspaper thatdistributes local news information or a weather station that reportslocal weather data.

External information service 110 may contain external data source 114.External data source 114 may be any suitable computer or computer-basedsystem for generating, storing, or obtaining program guide related data(e.g., manually from an operator, electronically via a computer networkor other connection, or via storage media) and putting the data intoelectronic form for distribution to main facility 102 or other facility.

Multiple external information services 110 and multiple communicationspaths 112 may provide data to main facility 102. Only one externalinformation service 110 and one communications path 112 have been shownin FIG. 1, however, to avoid over-complicating the drawing. Mainfacility 102 may transmit data received from external informationservice 110 to interactive application equipment 106 over communicationspath 108. In some embodiments, external information service 110 mayprovide data directly to interactive application equipment 106.

Communication paths 108 and 112 may be satellite communications paths,fiber-optic paths, wired communications paths, coaxial cable paths,radio frequency paths, electromagnetic communications paths, microwavecommunications paths, Internet paths, or any other suitable wired orwireless communications path or combination of paths. Communicationspaths 108 and 114 may have sufficient bandwidth to transmit videosignals.

Main facility 102 may transmit blackout data and other program guidedata to interactive application equipment 106 using any suitableapproach. For example, main facility 102 may distribute programmingblackout data and other program guide data periodically, continuously,or using any other suitable approach. Program guide data and other datamay be distributed discretely as separate files or packets, or may bedistributed in a continuous data stream (e.g., using a carousel-basedapproach).

In some embodiments, main facility 102 may transmit programming blackoutdata separate from other program guide data. The program guide mayupdate previously received program guide data with the blackoutinformation. In some embodiments, blackout data and program guide datamay be provided by main facility 102 using different approaches. Forexample, main facility 102 may provide blackout information in acontinuous data stream (e.g., using a carousel-based approach) whileproviding other program guide data periodically or using a client-serverbased approach. Any suitable combination of approaches may be used.

In some embodiments, main facility 102 may, for example, provideblackout data to interactive application equipment 106 as part ofschedule localizations. Examples of systems that utilize schedulelocalizations are described in Borges et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,760,821,which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.Periodic schedule localizations may update program listings and provideblackout data with a suitable frequency (e.g., daily, weekly,continuously, etc.), allowing information from a central facility, suchas main facility 102, to be received and processed at local facilities,such as those of interactive application equipment 106. Schedulelocalizations may be utilized to provide programming blackoutinformation to interactive application equipment 106 when the frequencyof schedule localization permits.

Main facility 102 may store reusable interactive application equipmentlists. The lists may include identifiers of multiple installations ofinteractive application equipment 106 that occupy a common locality,region, or coverage area. Main facility 102 may use stored interactiveapplication equipment lists to specify the scope of schedulelocalization transmissions. For example, main facility 102 may utilizean interactive application list to localize programming blackout data tothe installations of interactive application equipment 106 specified bythe list. In addition, main facility 102 may create new interactiveapplication equipment lists, in the event that no existing listsatisfies the desired scope of a schedule localization transmission. Forexample, main facility 102 may create new interactive application listsof installations of interactive application equipment 106 that had neverbeen previously localized by the same transmission.

In some embodiments, the way blackout data is provided by main facility102 or external information service 110 may depend on the nature of theblackout event and the amount of time in advance the blackout isidentified. In instances in which a blackout is identified with little,if any, notice, main facility 102 may, for example, separately transmitprogramming blackout data packets to interactive application equipment106 to ensure that the blackout data is delivered quickly. In instancesin which a blackout is identified with adequate advance notice, mainfacility 102 may, for example, provide blackout data and other programguide data together to interactive application equipment 106.

An illustrative arrangement for interactive application equipment 106 isshown in FIG. 2. In FIG. 2, interactive application equipment 106 mayinclude distribution facility 202. Distribution facility 202 may be anysuitable distribution facility (e.g., a cable system headend, asatellite distribution facility, a broadcast distribution facility, orany other suitable type of distribution facility) capable of providingblackout data and other program guide data to user television equipment204. Interactive application equipment 106 may include multipleinstallations of distribution facilities 202 and multiple installationsof user television equipment 204, but only one of each have beenincluded in FIG. 2 to avoid over-complicating the drawing.

Distribution facility 202 may receive blackout data and other programguide data from main facility 102 (FIG. 1), from an external informationservice such as external information service 110 (FIG. 1), or from anyother suitable facility or location. In some embodiments, distributionfacility 202 may generate program guide data. For example, a computer atdistribution facility 204 may generate (or an operator at such acomputer may input) blackout data to reflect that a program will beblacked out because a neighboring channel will steal its bandwidth toaccommodate a program with increased bandwidth requirements.

Distribution facility 202 may include distribution equipment 206.Distribution equipment 206 may be any equipment suitable fordistributing program guide data to user television equipment 204.Distribution equipment 206 may include, for example, suitabletransmission hardware for distributing program guide data on atelevision channel sideband, in the vertical blanking interval of atelevision channel, using an in-band digital signal, using anout-of-band digital signal, or by any other suitable data transmissiontechnique. Distribution equipment 206 may transmit analog or digitalsignals comprising programming guide data to user television equipment204 on multiple television channels.

In some embodiments, distribution facility 202 may include computerequipment or other suitable hardware on which a first portion or versionof an interactive television application is implemented. A secondportion or version of the application may be implemented on usertelevision equipment 204. The two versions or portions of theinteractive television application may communicate using any suitablepeer-to-peer communications scheme (e.g., messaging, remote functioncalls, etc.) and may perform interactive application functionsdistributively between distribution facility 202 and user televisionequipment 204.

Distribution facility 202 may provide user television equipment 204 withone or more of blackout data, other program guide data, video media, andtelevision programming over communications path 208. Communications path208 may be a satellite communications path, a fiber-optic path, a wiredcommunications path, a coaxial cable path, a radio frequency path, anelectromagnetic communications path, a microwave communications path, anInternet path, a wireless path, a combination of such paths, or anyother suitable communications path.

In some embodiments, distribution facility 202 may periodically transmitprogram guide data to user equipment 204. For example, blackout data andother program guide data may be updated at user television equipment 204daily, weekly, or with any other suitable frequency. In someembodiments, distribution facility 202 may transmit program guide datato user television equipment 204 in a real-time data stream. Forexample, replacement media and other blackout data may be transmitted touser television equipment 204 in real time in the event that apreviously scheduled program is blacked out with little advance notice.

In some embodiments, distribution facility 202 may transmit programguide data to user television equipment 204 continuously in acarousel-based approach, in which portions of program guide data (e.g.,listings, blackout data, pay-per-view data, etc.) are continuouslybroadcasted in a time-division multiplexed fashion. In some embodiments,main facility 102 (FIG. 1) may utilize a separate communications link(not shown) to transmit data directly to user equipment 204. In someembodiments, distribution facility 202 or another facility or locationmay transmit blackout data to user television equipment 204 in adedicated channel. Distribution facility 202 may, for example, transmitreplacement media for blacked-out programs to user television equipment204 in a dedicated channel. In some approaches, replacement media may beavailable over a number of dedicated channels in which, for example,metadata may associate the media with blacked-out programs.

In some embodiments, interactive application equipment 106 may obtainprogram guide data from main facility 102 (FIG. 1) or externalinformation service 110 (FIG. 1) via the Internet. An illustrativearrangement of interactive application equipment 106 (FIG. 1) for suchan approach is shown in FIG. 3. Distribution equipment 206 may obtainprogram guide data from Internet service system 302. Internet servicesystem 302 may be any combination of hardware and software suitable forproviding program guide data to distribution equipment 206 from theInternet. Internet service system 302 may provide blackout data andother program guide data to distribution equipment 206. For example, asports team may transmit data conveying the blackout of its event todistribution facility 202 via the Internet. In some embodiments,Internet service system 302 may receive replacement media forblacked-out programs.

Another illustrative Internet-based approach for interactive applicationequipment 106 (FIG. 1) is shown in FIG. 4. In this example, distributionfacility 202 may provide program guide data (e.g., blackout data,program listings, replacement media, etc.) to user television equipment204 via Internet service system 302 and suitable communications paths402 and 404. There may be multiple installations of user televisionequipment 204 and multiple associated communication paths 404, althoughonly one user television equipment 204 and communications path 404 areshown in FIG. 4 to avoid over-complicating the drawing.

Internet service system 302 may be any suitable combination of hardwareand software capable of providing program guide data from distributionequipment 206 to user television equipment 204 using an Internet basedapproach (e.g., the HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP)). Communicationspaths 402 and 404 may have sufficient bandwidth to allow distributionfacility 202 to distribute television programming and other video mediato user television equipment 204 via Internet service system 302. Forexample, Internet service system 302 may transmit regular televisionprogramming and media replacing blacked-out programs to user televisionequipment 204.

Internet service system 302 may provide user television equipment 204with video and program guide data from other sources on the Internet.For example, a television network Internet data source may inform usertelevision equipment 204 that because a local affiliate channel isscheduled to broadcast the same program as a national channel, theprogram on the national channel will be blacked out. In someembodiments, main facility 102 (FIG. 1), external data service 110 (FIG.1), or another facility or location may provide data to user televisionequipment 204 via Internet service system 302, or other separateInternet service system.

In some embodiments, an interactive program guide application may runpartially on user television equipment 204 and partially on othercomponents of interactive application equipment 106 using a suitableclient-server or distributed processing arrangement. Client-serverprogram guide systems are described, for example, in Ellis et al. U.S.patent application Ser. No. 09/374,043, filed Aug. 13, 1999, which ishereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

An illustrative client-server arrangement of interactive applicationequipment 106 (FIG. 1) is shown in FIG. 5. Distribution equipment 206may include server 502. An application client running on user televisionequipment 204 may retrieve program guide data from server 502 using anysuitable client-server based approach. The client may, for example, passSQL (structured query language) requests as messages to server 502. Inanother suitable approach, the application client may invoke remoteprocedures that reside on server 502 using one or more remote procedurecalls. Server 502 may execute SQL statements for such invoked remoteprocedures. In another suitable approach, client objects executed by theapplication may communicate with server objects executed by server 502using, for example, an object request broker (ORB). Server 502 may, forexample, run a suitable database engine (e.g., SQL Server by Microsoft)and provide data to an application client implemented on user televisionequipment 204.

In some embodiments, server 502 may request or otherwise receiveblackout data and other program guide data from program guide datasource 104 of main facility 102 (FIG. 1). Program guide data receivedfrom main facility 102 may update program guide data and, in someembodiments, be utilized to generate program listings display screenswith accurate information. For example, server 502 may utilize schedulelocalizations containing blackout information from main facility 102(FIG. 1) to generate accurate guide screens and provide blackoutfeatures.

In other embodiments, server 502 may receive blackout data and otherprogram guide data from an external information service such as externalinformation service 110 (FIG. 1). In still other embodiments, blackoutinformation may originate at distribution facility 202. For example, anoperator at distribution facility 202 may input blackout data or otherprogram guide data stored on server 502 to reflect the blackout.

In some embodiments server 502 may, in response to client requests,transmit program guide data via communications path 208 to userequipment 204 for subsequent processing and program guide display screengeneration. For example, server 502 may provide blackout data to usertelevision equipment 204 and user television equipment 204 maysubsequently process the data to provide blackout features in aninteractive television program guide application. In some of theseembodiments, server 502 may store replacement media (e.g., replacementadvertisements, videos, etc.) for blacked out programs and provide thereplacement media to user television equipment 204 in response toprogram guide client requests. In other embodiments, sometimes referredto as a “thin client” approach, program guide server 502 may generateprogram guide displays which are downloaded by the program guide client.If desired, server 502 may be located at main facility 102 (FIG. 1),external information service 110 (FIG. 1), or other location, or acombination thereof.

Another illustrative client-server arrangement is shown in FIG. 6. Inthis example, Internet service system 302 may provide program guide datafrom the Internet to server 502. Internet service system 302 may be anysuitable combination of hardware and software capable of providing datato server 502 using an Internet based approach (e.g., the HyperTextTransfer Protocol (HTTP)). Internet service system 302 may provide datato server 502 continuously, daily, upon request by server 502, uponrequest by user television equipment 204, or in any other suitableapproach. In some embodiments, Internet service system 302 may alsoprovide replacement media to server 502.

FIG. 7 shows an illustrative arrangement for interactive applicationequipment 106 for providing an online program guide. Illustrativeon-line program guide systems are described, for example, in Boyer etal. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/938,028, filed Sep. 18, 1997,which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.Interactive application equipment may have personal computer (PC) 702 onwhich a program guide client or web browser is implemented. Personalcomputer 702 may be connected to Internet service system 704 viaInternet link 706. Internet service system 704 may use any suitablecombination of computer hardware and software capable of providing anon-line program guide server application or website (e.g., by providingHTML web pages using HTTP). In the embodiment of FIG. 7, distributionfacility 708 may provide Internet service system 704 with program guidedata. Distribution facility 708 may be any suitable equipment fordistributing blackout data and program guide data (e.g., a cable systemheadend, a satellite distribution facility, a broadcast distributionfacility, or any other suitable type of distribution facility) toInternet service system 704 via Internet link 710. In other suitableapproaches, other program guide equipment or facilities such as, forexample, main facility 102 (FIG. 1), external information service 110(FIG. 1), or any other suitable source of program guide data, or acombination thereof, may provide Internet service system 704 withprogram guide data.

User television equipment 204 of FIGS. 2-6 may be any suitable equipmentcapable of receiving, processing, and displaying data in an interactiveprogram guide application (e.g., personal computer televisions (PC/TVs),personal computers, cable set-top boxes or satellite receivers withsufficient processing capabilities and display devices, etc.). Usertelevision equipment 204 may receive program guide data fromdistribution facility 202 (FIGS. 2-6), server 502 (FIGS. 5-6), Internetservice system 302 (FIGS. 3, 4, and 6), or any other suitable facilityor location, or a combination thereof, and utilize the data (e.g.,blackout data) to generate accurate program listings display screens andto provide blackout features.

An illustrative arrangement for user television equipment 204 (FIGS.2-6) is shown in FIG. 8. User television equipment 204 may receiveanalog or digital programming (e.g., television programming,pay-per-view programming, video-on-demand programming, etc.) and programguide data at input 802 from distribution facility 202 (FIGS. 2-6), mainfacility 102 (FIG. 1), external information service 110 (FIG. 1),Internet service system 302 (FIGS. 3-4), server 502 (FIGS. 5-6), orother suitable equipment, or a combination thereof, depending on thechosen implementation.

During normal television viewing, a user may tune set-top box 804 to adesired television channel. The signal for that television channel maythen be provided at video output 806. The signal supplied at output 806is typically either a radio-frequency (RF) signal on a predefinedchannel (e.g., channel 3 or 4), or an analog demodulated video signal,but may also be a digital signal provided on an appropriate digital bus(e.g., a bus using the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers(IEEE) 1394 standard (not shown)). The video signal at output 806 may bereceived by secondary storage device 808, which may be an optionalcomponent in the embodiment of FIG. 8.

Set-top box 804 may have memory 810. Memory 810 may be any memory orother storage device, such as a random access memory (RAM), read onlymemory (ROM), flash memory, a hard disk drive, a combination of suchdevices, or any memory suitable for storing application instructions andapplication data for use by the interactive application.

Set-top box 804 may have communications device 812 for communicatingdirectly with distribution facility 202 (FIGS. 2-6), server 502 (FIGS.5-6) Internet service system 302 (FIGS. 3-4, FIG. 6), externalinformation service 110 (FIG. 1), or other suitable equipment oversuitable communications paths. Communications device 812 may be a modem(e.g., cable modem, telephone modem, digital subscriber line (DSL)modem, integrated service digital network (ISDN) modem, or any suitableanalog or digital modem), network interface card (e.g., an Ethernetcard, etc.), or other suitable communications device. Communicationsdevice 812 may also be a personal computer with an Internet connectionin, for example, the arrangements shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. In someembodiments, communications device 812 may be a component of television814.

Secondary storage device 808 may be any suitable type of analog ordigital program storage device or player (e.g., a videocassette recorder(VCR), a personal video recorder (PVR), a digital versatile disc (DVD)player, etc.). In some embodiments, blackout data may be stored insecondary storage device 808. Program recording and other features maybe controlled by set-top box 804 using control path 816. If secondarystorage device 808 is a videocassette recorder or a personal videorecorder, for example, a typical control path 816 may involve the use ofan infrared transmitter coupled to the infrared receiver in the recorderthat normally accepts commands from a remote control such as remotecontrol 818. Remote control 818 may be used to control set-top box 804,secondary storage device 808, and television 814.

An interactive television program guide may run on set-top box 804,television 814 (provided that television 814 has suitable processingcircuitry and memory), a suitable analog or digital receiver (not shown)connected to television 814, or digital storage device 820 if digitalstorage device 820 has suitable processing circuitry and memory. Theinteractive television program guide may also run cooperatively on asuitable combination of these devices. Interactive televisionapplication systems in which a cooperative interactive televisionprogram guide application runs on multiple devices are described, forexample, in Ellis U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/186,598, filedNov. 5, 1998, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in itsentirety.

If desired, a user may record programming (e.g., television programs,pay-per-view programs, video-on-demand (VOD) programs,non-video-on-demand programs, etc.) in digital form on digital storagedevice 820. Digital storage device 820 may also record program guidedata including, for example, blackout data and replacement media.Digital storage device 820 may be contained in set-top box 804 or it maybe an external device connected to set-top box 804 via an input/outputport and appropriate interface. Digital storage device 820 may be awriteable optical storage device (such as a DVD player capable ofhandling recordable DVD discs), a magnetic storage device (such as adisk drive or digital tape), or any other digital storage device.Interactive television program guide systems that have digital storagedevices are described, for example, in Hassell et al. U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/157,256, filed Sep. 17, 1998, which is herebyincorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

Processing circuitry in set-top box 804 may format received video, audioand data signals into a digital file format. The file format may be anopen file format such as the Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) MPEG-2standard or the Moving Joint Photographic Experts Group (MJPEG)standard. The resulting data may be streamed to and stored in digitalstorage device 820, secondary storage device 808, or other storagedevice via an appropriate bus (not shown) (e.g., a bus using theInstitute Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 1394 standard). Insome embodiments, an MPEG-2 data stream or series of files may bereceived from distribution facility 202 (FIGS. 2-6), Internet servicesystem 302 (FIGS. 3-4, and 6), or other system and stored by digitalstorage device 820 or secondary storage device 808.

Television 814 may receive video signals from secondary storage device808 via communications path 822. The video signals on communicationspath 822 may either be generated by secondary storage device 808 whenplaying back a prerecorded storage medium (e.g., a videocassette or arecordable digital video disc), by digital storage device 820 whenplaying back a prerecorded digital medium, may be passed through fromset-top box 804, may be provided directly to television 814 from set-topbox 804 if secondary storage device 808 is not included in usertelevision equipment 204 (FIGS. 2-6), or may be received directly bytelevision 814 from any other suitable facility or location (e.g., mainfacility 102 (FIG. 1)). During normal television viewing, the videosignals provided to television 814 may correspond to the desired channelto which a user has tuned with set-top box 804. Video signals may alsobe provided to television 814 by set-top box 804 when set-top box 804 isused to play back information stored on digital storage device 820.

FIG. 9 is a illustrative schematic block diagram of portions of usertelevision equipment 204 (FIGS. 2-6), in accordance with variousembodiments of the present invention. Blackout data and other programguide data from distribution facility 202 (FIGS. 2-6), main facility 102(FIG. 1), external information service 110 (FIG. 1), server 502 (FIGS.5-6), Internet service provider 302 (FIGS. 3, 4, and 6), or othersuitable equipment or location may be received by control circuitry 902or received by communications device 904 and provided to controlcircuitry 902.

Control circuitry 902 may include a processor or processing circuitryfor receiving and processing program guide instructions. Controlcircuitry 902 may include any suitable processor, such as amicroprocessor or group of microprocessors, and other processingcircuitry such as caching circuitry, direct memory access (DMA)circuitry, input/output (I/O) circuitry, etc. For example, controlcircuitry 902 may process program guide instructions to generate programguide display screens. As another example, control circuitry 902 mayprocess blackout data to provide record commands to a suitable storagedevice. Still another example, control circuitry 902 may maintain a userviewing history and process program guide data to generate a list ofprogram recommendations. The functions of control circuitry 902 may beintegrated into an advanced television receiver, personal computertelevision (PC/TV), or any other suitable arrangement. If desired, acombination of such arrangements may be used.

Digital storage device 906 and secondary storage device 908 may recordmedia and store program guide data. Secondary storage device 908 may beany suitable type of analog or digital program storage device (e.g., avideocassette recorder (VCR), a personal video recorder (PVR), a digitalversatile disc (DVD), etc.). Digital storage device 906 may be, forexample, a writeable optical storage device (such as a DVD playercapable of handling recordable DVD discs), a magnetic storage device(such as a disk drive or digital tape), or any other digital storagedevice. Program recording and other features may be controlled bycontrol circuitry 902. For example, control circuitry 902 may instructsecondary storage device 908 and digital storage device 906 to recordtelevision programming.

Memory 910 may be any memory or other storage device, such as a randomaccess memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), flash memory, a hard diskdrive, a combination of such devices, etc., that is suitable for storingprogram guide data for use by control circuitry 902.

Communications device 904 may be supporting communications between usertelevision equipment 204 and distribution equipment 202 (FIGS. 2-6),server 502 (FIGS. 5-6), Internet service system 302 (FIGS. 3, 4, and 6),external information service 110 (FIG. 1), or other suitable equipmentor location. Communications device 904 may be a modem (e.g., a cablemodem, digital subscriber line (DSL) modem, telephone modem, integratedservices digital network (ISDN) modem, or any suitable analog or digitalmodem), network interface card (e.g., an Ethernet card, Token ring card,etc.), or any other suitable communications device.

User input device 912 may be any suitable input device for allowing auser to communicate to the program guide. For example, a user may selecta program listing from a program guide listings display screen or ordera pay-per-view program with user input device 912. User input device 912may be a pointing device, wireless remote control, keyboard, touch-pad,voice recognition system, or any other suitable user input device.User-entered instructions from user input device 912 may instructcontrol circuitry 902 to direct an audio device (not shown) to provideaudio (e.g., music, talk-radio, television audio, etc.). During normaltelevision viewing, user-entered instructions from user input device 912may instruct control circuitry 902 to direct display device 914 todisplay a desired television channel on display device 914. Displaydevice 914 may be any suitable television, monitor, or other suitabledisplay device. To provide a user with program guide options, theprogram guide running on user television equipment 204 (FIGS. 2-6, and8) may generate, for example, an information display screen, apay-per-view display screen, or other desired display screen for displayon display device 914.

In some embodiments, the program guide may, based on blackout datasupplied to user television equipment 204, generate control data thatgoverns the recording of blacked-out programs on digital storage device(820, 906), secondary storage device (808, 908), or any other storagedevice used in user television equipment 204. For example, the programguide may generate control data that prevents recording commands frombeing sent to secondary storage device (808, 908) that would instructsecondary storage device (808, 908) to record a blacked-out program. Inaddition, the program guide may generate control data that prevents therecording of blacked-out programs onto digital storage device (820,906). As another example, the program guide may instruct secondarystorage device (808, 908) or digital storage device (820, 906) topostpone the recording of a blacked-out program which was previouslydesignated for recording until the blacked-out program, if ever, becomesavailable. Still another example, the program guide may generate controldata that commands secondary storage device (808, 908) or digitalstorage device (820, 906) to record an alternate program in place of ablacked-out program.

In some embodiments, the program guide running may automatically commandsecondary storage device (808, 908) or digital storage device (820, 906)to record a program with similar program attributes, a program the userfrequently watches, or any other program in place of a blacked-outprogram that was designated by a user for recording. In someembodiments, a user may be permitted to set a default program, channel,genre, or other classification characteristics used by the program guideto automatically specify replacement programs. In some approaches, theprogram guide may generate display screens that have programrecommendations.

In some embodiments, the interactive television program guide mayprovide programming blackout replacement media for programmingblackouts. Replacement media may be displayed on a user televisionequipment display screen (e.g., television 814, display device 914,etc.) in place of blacked-out programs. Replacement media may be, forexample, regularly scheduled and broadcast programs that are recommendedto a user by the interactive program guide. Replacement media may be,for example, supplemental media transmitted to or displayed by usertelevision equipment 204 (FIGS. 2-6, and 8-9) associated with a programthat has been blacked out. In some embodiments, distribution facility202 (FIGS. 2-6) may distribute replacement media on the channel of ablacked-out program if the channel has the available bandwidth. Forexample, distribution facility 202 (FIGS. 2-6) may distributereplacement media advertisements on the channel of a blacked-outprogram.

Replacement media may be, for example, targeted advertisements. Thetargeted advertisements or the replacement media may have beenpreviously downloaded by the program guide. The targeted advertisementsmay be characterized by a similar genre, subject matter or channel asthe program that has been blacked out, or may be targeted or purelyuser-related subject matter (e.g., based on a user's viewing history).Other examples of replacement media may be, for example, movie trailers,selected scenes in a movie, music videos, and audio clips. These too maybe targeted.

In some embodiments, the program guide may display a list of availablereplacement media for a blacked-out program and provide a user with theoption to select replacement media from the list. For example, theprogram guide may instruct communications device (812, 904) toselectively receive or tune to replacement media from one of a pluralityof replacement media channels and may instruct a recording device (e.g.,digital storage device (820, 906), secondary storage device (808, 908),etc.) to record the media in place of a blacked-out program.

Some program blackouts such as bandwidth blackouts, affiliate protectionblackouts, and venue protection blackouts generally have well-definedcharacteristics with respect to the amount of advance notice with whichthey may be identified. In some embodiments, the approach used totransmit blackout data may be based on the amount of advance notice fora given type of blackout. Blackout data for blackouts that are knownsufficiently in advance may be integrated into regular schedulelocalizations containing other program guide date rather than sentseparately, despite the fact that each of the two methods may besuitable for updating the program listings information. For example,because sporting events are generally scheduled far in advance, blackoutdata for a bandwidth blackout resulting from the broadcast of asports-related program may typically be included in regular schedulelocalizations. Blackout data for blackouts that are identified withinclose proximity to the previously scheduled broadcast may be sentseparately from other program guide data. For example, because thedecision to black out a sporting event may not be made until the day ofthe event, blackout data for a venue protection blackout resulting frompoor ticket sales of a sporting event may typically be sent separatelyfrom other program guide data.

Which facility or facilities identifies a blackout and generatesblackout data may be based on the type of blackout that is to takeplace. For example, because bandwidth blackouts occur when a program haslarger than typical bandwidth requirements, bandwidth blackout data maybe generated by the distribution facility (e.g., distribution facility202 (FIGS. 2-6)) that distributes the blacked-out program. As anotherexample, because venue protection blackouts may result when a sportingevent or other event experiences poor ticket sales, venue protectionblackout data may be generated by a data source run by the venue (i.e.,the venue may act as an external data source 110 (FIG. 1)). A venue may,for example, provide a program guide application facility (e.g., mainfacility 102 (FIG. 1), distribution facility 202 (FIGS. 2-6), etc.) withblackout data via an Internet source accessible by Internet serviceprovider 302 (FIGS. 3-4, and 6). As another example, because anaffiliate protection blackout results when a local affiliate and anational channel are scheduled to provide the same program, affiliateprotection blackout data may be generated by the program guide runningon user television equipment 204 (FIGS. 2-6, and 8-9), server 502 (FIGS.5-6), or any other facility or location that has program listings data.The program guide running on user television equipment 204, or any othersuitable facility or location that has program listings data, may checkprogram listings schedules for data that may indicate the occurrence ofa blackout, such as the scheduling of a common program by a localaffiliate and a national channel.

A program guide implemented on interactive application equipment 106(FIGS. 1-6) may change its displays and available options based onblackout data. FIGS. 10-24 show program guide display screens inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The displayscreens of FIGS. 10-28 are only illustrative. Any other suitable userinterface approach may be used. For example, other illustrativeinterface displays are described in Moore et al. U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 09/668,678, filed Sep. 22, 2000, and Knudson et al. U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/357,941, which are hereby incorporated byreference herein in their entireties.

FIG. 10 shows an illustrative television program listings display screen1000 as it may appear prior to a blackout. In display screen 1000,program listings for a specific time period 1002 may be displayed. Inthis example, program “Press Conference” 1004 is available on channel“100 DSC” 1006. When program “Press Conference” 1004 is blacked out, theprogram guide may update the program listings display screen to indicatethe blackout. In some embodiments, the type of blackout (e.g., bandwidthblackout, affiliate protection blackout, venue protection blackout,etc.) may determine the way the program guide updates program guidedisplay screens. Turning to FIG. 11, for example, the program guide mayreplace program title “Press Conference” 1004 (FIG. 10) with“Blacked-Out Program” indicator 1102 when a bandwidth blackout preventsprogram 1004 from being available. Turning to FIG. 12, in anotherexample, the program guide may include indicator 1202 in the guidelisting for program “Press Conference” 1204 to indicate that anaffiliate protection blackout of program 1004 (FIG. 10) has occurred.The program guide may automatically tune to the local affiliate channelshowing the blacked-out program 1004 in response to user selection ofprogram 1204 (e.g., by pressing a remote control “OK” key from remotecontrol 818 (FIG. 8)).

Turning to FIG. 13, in still another example, the program guide mayreplace the listing for program “Yankees Game” 1008 (FIG. 10) withreplacement media “Boxing” 1302 when a venue protection blackout ofprogram 1008 has occurred. The program guide may have automaticallyreplaced program “Yankees Game” 1008 (FIG. 10) with replacement media“Boxing” 1302 for a number of reasons. For example, replacement media1302 and blacked-out program “Yankees Game” 1008 (FIG. 10) may havesimilar program characteristics, a user viewing history may indicate auser interest in sporting events, or the venue that refused to televiseprogram 1008 may have provided program 1302 as replacement media. InFIG. 13, the absence of an indicator (e.g., such as indicator 1202 (FIG.12)) may prevent the user from being alerted that program “Boxing” 1302is replacement media and not the program that was originally scheduledfor channel “103 ESPN2” 1304. In other embodiments, an indicator such asindicator 1202 (FIG. 12) may alert the user that program “Boxing” 1302is replacement media.

Indicator 1102 (FIG. 11) and indicator 1202 (FIG. 12) are onlyillustrative, and any other suitable indicators may be used to indicatea program blackout (e.g., other phrase or word, graphic, icon, etc.). Insome embodiments, the guide may indicate a blackout without regard tothe type of blackout using indicator 1202 (FIG. 11) or indicator 1202(FIG. 12) exclusively. Indicator 1202 (FIG. 12), however, allows theuser to view the title of the blackout program or, in other embodiments,its replacement media.

Highlight regions 1104, 1208, and 1306 of FIGS. 11-13 indicate thecurrently active program listing. When a particular program listing isactive, the guide may provide a more detailed description of thehighlighted program in response to, for example, user selection of an“INFO” key, “OK” key, or other key from a remote control such as remotecontrol 818 (FIG. 8). FIG. 14 shows an illustrative additionalinformation display screen 1400 that the program guide may display inresponse to a user indicating “Blacked-Out Program” 1102 (FIG. 11).Display screen 1400 may provide a user with blackout data and blackoutfeatures for “Blacked-Out Program” 1102 (FIG. 11). In the embodiment ofFIG. 14, blackout information such as blackout type 1402, title of theblacked-out program 1404, and replacement media 1406 may be available tothe user. Particularly, display screen 1400 may indicate that a“Bandwidth Blackout” 1408 of program “Press Conference” 1410 hasoccurred, and that replacement media “American Politics” 1412 and “TheBasics of Tiling” 1414 are available. Replacement media 1412 may havesimilar program characteristics (e.g. politically-related programming)as blacked-out program 1410. Replacement media 1414 may have similarprogram characteristics as a user viewing history. For example, a userviewing history may indicate a user interest in home improvementprogramming, and replacement media 1414 may be another home improvementprogram. The program guide may tune to the channel of replacement media1412 or 1414 in response to user selection of “GO” options 1416 or 1418,respectively.

In some embodiments, the program guide may provide replacement mediafrom sources other than regularly broadcast and available televisionchannels. For example, a distribution facility 202 (FIGS. 2-6) or server502 (FIGS. 5-6) may provide replacement media to user televisionequipment 204 (FIGS. 2-6, and 8-9) in a dedicated channel, or in anumber of dedicated channels, depending on the arrangement of theprogram guide system. As another example, Internet service system 704(FIG. 7) may provide replacement media to personal computer 702 from anon-line website. Still another example, distribution facility 202 (FIGS.2-6 or distribution facility 708 (FIG. 7) may broadcast the replacementprogram in the bandwidth normally occupied by channel “100 DSC 1420” forblackouts in which the bandwidth of the blackout program is available.Still another example, server 502 (FIGS. 5-6), user television equipment204 (FIGS. 2-6, and 8), personal computer 702 (FIG. 7), or othersuitable program guide equipment may store replacement media or programsfor use by the program guide in the event of a blackout. For example, aprogram guide user may record a program onto a storage device, such assecondary storage device (808, 908) or digital storage device (820,906), or server 502 (FIGS. 5-6) may record a program on a serverdatabase for use by the program guide in the event of a blackout.

FIG. 15 shows illustrative information display screen 1500 that theprogram guide may display in response to a user selecting programlisting “Press Conference” 1204 (FIG. 12) to obtain additionalinformation. Display screen 1500 may provide a user with blackoutinformation and blackout features for program “Press Conference” 1204(FIG. 12). In the embodiment of FIG. 15, blackout information such asblackout type 1502, title of the blacked-out program 1504, availabilityof replacement media 1506, and other blackout information may beavailable to the user. Particularly, information in display screen 1500may indicate that an “Affiliate Protection Blackout” 1508 of program“Press Conference” 1510 has occurred, and that no replacement media isavailable 1512. In addition, information in display screen 1500 mayindicate that a local affiliate channel 1514 is showing the blacked-outprogram. The program guide may tune to the local affiliate channel inresponse to user selection of option 1518. A description 1520 of program“Press Conference” 1522 may be available in display screen 1500.

FIG. 16 shows an illustrative information display screen that theprogram guide may display in response to a user selecting programlisting “Boxing” 1302 (FIG. 13) to access additional information.Display screen 1600 may provide a user with blackout information andblackout features for program “Boxing” 1302 (FIG. 13). In the embodimentof FIG. 16, blackout information such as blackout type 1602, title ofthe blacked-out program 1604, availability of replacement media 1606,and other blackout information may be available to the user. In thisexample, information in display screen 1600 indicates that a “VenueProtection Blackout” 1608 of program “Yankees Game” 1610 has occurred,and that replacement media “Pay-Per-View Boxing” is available 1612. Theprogram guide may recommend pay-per-view program 1612 because it hassimilar program characteristics as blacked-out program 1610 (e.g.,sports-related). A user may be permitted to record, order, or set areminder for this replacement media by selecting option 1614, option1616, or option 1618, respectively. In some embodiments, the programguide may recommend pay-per-view and video-on-demand programs in placeof blacked-out programs in an attempt to increase pay-per-view andvideo-on-demand derived revenue.

Other types of blackout information may be provided in display screen1600, such as ticket purchase information 1620. Particularly, a user maybe permitted to purchase tickets on an online website 1622 or by phone1624. For example, Internet universal resource locator (URL) 1622, orother icon or indicator, may provide a hyperlink to an Internet sitewhere tickets may be purchased. As another example, URL 1622 may send arequest to a server, such as server 502 (FIGS. 5-6) to obtain data on anInternet site. Blacked-out program advertisement 1626 (e.g., provided bythe venue as replacement media) may encourage the user to purchasetickets for the blacked-out venue event.

In some embodiments, program guide displays may include interactiveoptions (i.e., user-selectable options) that allow users to purchasetickets for a blacked-out venue event directly from the program guide.For example, FIG. 17 shows another embodiment of an illustrativeinformation display screen that the program guide may display inresponse to a user selecting program listing “Boxing” 1302 (FIG. 13) toaccess additional information. In response to the user selecting “BUYTICKETS NOW!” option 1702, the program guide may display program guidedisplay screens that permit a user to complete an order for theblacked-out venue event tickets. In other embodiments, the user may bepermitted to input all information required to purchase tickets for theblacked-out venue event in display screen 1700 (e.g., the number oftickets desired, the desired section in which the seats are located,etc.). The program guide may use any suitable method to process userticket-purchase requests. For example, user television equipment 204(FIGS. 4, 8, and 9) may send user ticket-purchase requests to an onlineticket broker via Internet service system 302 (FIG. 4). In aclient-server arrangement, for example, server 502 (FIG. 6) maycommunicate user ticket-purchase requests to an online ticket broker viaInternet service system 302 (FIG. 6). In still another example, usertelevision equipment 204 (FIGS. 2-6, and 8-9) may communicate userticket-purchase requests to an external information service thatprocesses ticket requests, such as, for example, external informationservice 110 (FIG. 1).

In some embodiments, the program guide may not display any informationthat would alert the user that replacement media is replacing ablacked-out program. For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 16, theinformation, corresponding to elements 1602, 1604, 1606, 1608, 1610,1620, 1622, 1624, and 1626, that alerts the user that replacement mediahas replaced a blacked-out program may not be displayed.

In some embodiments, the interactive program guide may update guidepay-per-view display screens to prevent a user from ordering and settingreminder or record options on pay-per-view programs that have beenblacked out. FIG. 18 shows an illustrative pay-per-view listings displayscreen 1800 as it may appear before a blackout. In this example,pay-per-view program “Malibu Heat” 1802 is indicated as available forordering. If program 1802 becomes unavailable due to a blackout, theprogram guide may change the display screen to reflect theunavailability of program 1802.

FIG. 19 shows an illustrative pay-per-view listings display screen 1900after pay-per-view program “Malibu Heat” 1802 (FIG. 18) has been blackedout. In this example, the program guide has removed the listing for“Malibu Heat” 1802 from the list of available pay-per-view programs. Theprogram guide may have, for example, removed program 1802 (FIG. 18) fromthe list of available programs. The guide may remove blacked-outpay-per-view programs based on, for example, an invalid purchase priceor a blackout flag having been associated with program 1802 to reflectits unavailability. Removing a blacked-out program from the list ofavailable programs may prevent a user from ordering or setting areminder for the blacked-out program.

FIG. 20 shows another illustrative embodiment of a pay-per-view listingsscreen after program “Malibu Heat” 1802 (FIG. 18) has been blacked out.In display screen 2000, indicator 2002 may indicate that program “MalibuHeat” 2004 is blacked out. In response to user-selection of program2004, the program guide may display program guide screens that provideadditional blackout features and options.

FIG. 21 shows an illustrative blackout information display screen thatmay be displayed by the program guide in response to user selection ofblacked-out program 2004 (FIG. 20). In display screen 2100, the programguide may provide a list of recommended replacement media 2102. Forexample, the program guide may recommend pay-per-view programs“Terminator” 2104 and “Driving Miss Daisy” 2106, and television programs(i.e., non pay-per-view programs) “Cops” 2108 and “Ancient Rome” 2110.In some embodiments, the program guide may recommend replacement mediathat has similar program attributes as a blacked-out program. Forexample, blacked-out program “Malibu Heat” 2004 (FIG. 20) andrecommended programs “Terminator” 2104 and “Cops” 2108 may all bepolice-force related programs. In some embodiments, the program guidemay recommend media that is user-targeted. For example, the programguide may recommend program “Ancient Rome” 2110 because it has similarattributes as a user viewing history that is maintained by the programguide. In some embodiments, the program guide may recommend replacementmedia in attempts to increase pay-program derived revenue. For example,the program guide may recommend pay-per-view program “Driving MissDaisy” 2106 because it has demonstrated popularity with other programguide subscribers.

In some embodiments, the program guide may provide features forpay-per-view programs that are blacked-out after a user has ordered thepay-per-view programs. For example, FIG. 22 a shows an illustrativeprogram guide overlay 2202 that may be displayed when pay-per-viewprogram “Malibu Heat” 2204 is blacked out after a user has orderedprogram 2204. In response to the blackout of previously ordered program2204, the program guide may provide blackout information in overlay2202. Overlay 2202 may be displayed over video for a current program orover a currently accessed program guide display screen. Particularly,information in overlay 2202 may inform the user that pay-per-viewprogram 2204 is blacked out and that the fee for the program will not becharged to the user's account 2206. In addition, overlay 2202 mayinclude an option to view a list of recommended replacement media 2208.In response to user selection of “Yes” option 2210, the program guidemay display a list of recommended replacement media (e.g., the list ofreplacement media in the display screen of FIG. 21). In response to userselection of “No” option 2212, the program guide may remove overlay 2202from the video of the current program or the currently accessed programguide screen. In other embodiments, the program guide may provide a listof recommended replacement media in overlay 2202.

In some embodiments, the program guide may provide a list of replacementmedia that indicate a different showing for the blacked-out program(i.e., the same program but on a different channel or at a differenttime). FIG. 22 b shows an illustrative recommended replacement mediadisplay screen 2201. A list of other program times and channels forwhich a blacked-out program is available may be displayed under heading“RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT MEDIA” 2214. In this example, display screen2201 may be displayed in response to a user selecting “Yes” option 2210(FIG. 22 a) to “view a list of recommended replacement media” 2208 (FIG.22 a) for blacked-out program “Malibu Heat” 2204 (FIG. 22 a). In thisexample, other program times and channels for which blacked-out program“Malibu Heat” 2204 (FIG. 22 a) is available may be displayed underheading 2214. For example, program listing 2214 may indicate thatprogram “Malibu Heat” is available on a different channel 2218 and atthe same time 2220 as blacked-out program “Malibu Heat” 2204 (FIG. 22a). As another example, program listings 2222 and 2224 may indicate thatprogram “Malibu Heat” is available on the same channel 2226 and 2228 andat different times 2230 and 2232, respectively, as blacked-out program“Malibu Heat” 2204 (FIG. 22 a). In other embodiments, display screen2201 may be displayed in response to user-selection of an option to viewa list of other showings for which the program of a blacked-out programis available. In response to user-selection of program 2216, 2222, or2224, a user may be permitted to order program 2216, 2222, or 2224,respectively.

In some embodiments, the program guide may automatically orderpay-program replacement media for blacked-out pay-programs. For example,the program guide may automatically order program “Malibu Heat” 2216 forthe user in response to a blackout of program “Malibu Heat” 2204 (FIG.22 a). The program guide may automatically order program 2216 for theuser because program 2216 is a different showing of program 2204 (FIG.22 a). Particularly, programs 2216 and 2204 are both “Malibu Heat”,programs 2216 and 2204 are both scheduled at “12:30-2:30 A” (2234,2220), and program 2216 is showing on channel “104 PPV4” 2218 that isdifferent from channel “101 PPV1” 2236 (FIG. 22 a) of blacked-outprogram 2204.

In some embodiments, the interactive program guide may update reminderlists in response to programming blackouts. FIG. 23 shows anillustrative reminder list display screen 2300. A list of programs forwhich reminders have been set may be displayed under heading “ReminderList” 2302. In this example, a reminder for program “Talkback Live” 2304has been set by a user. If program 2304 is blacked out, the programguide may change the reminder list to reflect the blackout by, forexample, removing the listing for the reminder of program “TalkbackLive” 2304 from the reminder list.

In some embodiments, the interactive program guide may automaticallyreplace program “Talkback Live” 2304 with replacement media. As shown inFIG. 24, for example, the program guide may replace program “TalkbackLive” 2304 (FIG. 23) with “Good Morning Talk” 2402 which is showingduring the same time period 2404. Program 2402 may have similar programattributes (e.g., genre, actors, etc.) as program 2304 (FIG. 23).Particularly, programs 2304 and 2402 may both be talk show programs. Insome embodiments, the program guide may automatically replace ablacked-out program on the reminder list with replacement media that isanother showing of the blacked-out program (i.e., the same program on adifferent channel or at a different time). In some approaches, theinteractive program guide may automatically set reminders for programsbased on a user's viewing history, or based on an alternate selectionset by the user to replace blacked-out program 2304 (FIG. 23) in theevent of a blackout. In some embodiments, the program guide may providea user with an option to view a list of recommended replacement mediawhen a program on the reminder list is blacked-out.

In some embodiments, the program guide may update record lists inresponse to program blackouts. FIG. 25 shows an illustrative record listdisplay screen 2500. A list of programs scheduled for recording may bedisplayed under heading “Record List” 2502. In this example, program“Psycho” 2504 has been scheduled for recording. If program 2504 isblacked out, the program guide may change the record list to reflect theblackout. For example, the guide may remove “Psycho” 2504 from therecord list to prevent the recording of an unavailable program.

In other embodiments, for example, the program guide may displayindicator 2602 to indicate that program “Psycho” 2604 has been blackedout, as shown in display screen 2600 of FIG. 26. The program guide mayprovide the user with blackout information and features in response touser selection of blacked-out program 2604 (FIG. 26). For example, theinteractive program guide may display a list of optional replacementprograms for a user, as shown, for example, in display screen 2700 ofFIG. 27. Particularly, program “MAD TV” 2702, program “Psycho 2” 2704,and program “Thriller” 2706 may be available under heading “RECOMMENDEDREPLACEMENT MEDIA” 2708. The program guide may recommend, for example,program 2702 because, for example, it is a program normally watched orrecorded by the user. The program guide may recommend programs 2704 and2706 because, for example, they have similar program attributes asblacked-out program 2604 (FIG. 26). Particularly, programs 2704 and 2604(FIG. 26) may be directed by the same director or may have the sameactors, and programs 2706 and 2604 (FIG. 26) may both be horrorprograms. In some embodiments, the program guide may recommendreplacement media that is a different showing of a blacked-out program(i.e., available on a different channel or at a different time). In someembodiments, the program guide may automatically select replacementmedia for recording.

In some embodiments, the interactive program guide may provide FLIPdisplay screens in response to a user changing channels. FIG. 28 is anillustrative flip display screen 2800 in accordance with one embodimentof the present invention. The program guide may overlay flip bar 2802over a blank screen or replacement media in response to a user tuning toa channel on which a program has been blacked out. Flip bar 2802 mayprovide blackout information and features to a program guide user. Forexample, flip bar 2802 may indicate that program “Yankees Game” 1008(FIG. 10) is blacked out using an indicator such as, for example,“Yankees Game Blacked Out” 2804. The program guide may recommendreplacement media in FLIP overlay 2802. In this example, the programguide may recommend replacement media “Yankees Season Highlights” 2806,“Expos Game” 2808, and “Yoga” 2810 in overlay 2802. The user may accesseach of these programs by, for example, selecting “Go” option 2812,2814, or 2816, respectively. The program guide may recommend programsusing any suitable approach. For example, programs may be recommendedbecause they have similar program attributes as a blacked-out program.In this example, program “Expos Game” 2808 may be recommended because ithas similar program attributes (e.g., sports-related) as the blacked-outprogram “Yankees Game” 1008 (FIG. 10). As another example, programs maybe recommended based on a user's viewing habits. In this example, theprogram guide may have recommended program “Yoga” 2810 because it is aprogram that the user frequently watches. Still another example,programs may be recommended because they are intended to replace theprograms that are blacked out. In this example, the program guide mayhave recommended program “Yankees Season Highlights” 2806 to replace avenue protection blackout of program “Yankees Game” 1008 (FIG. 10).Recommended program 2806 may be replacement media provided to theprogram guide by the Yankees team front office or any other suitablesource (e.g., an Internet website accessed by Internet service system302 (FIG. 3, 4, or 6) or Internet service system 710 (FIG. 7)) that isintended to replace blacked-out program 1008 (FIG. 10).

FIG. 29 is a generalized flowchart of an illustrative method forsupporting blackout features in an interactive program guide inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention. At step 2902, ablackout may be identified. Blackouts may be identified, for example, bymain facility 102 (FIG. 1), external information service 110 (FIG. 1),Internet service system 302 (FIGS. 3, 4 and 6), Internet service system704 (FIG. 7), distribution facility 202 (FIGS. 2-6), distributionfacility 708 (FIG. 7), server 502 (FIGS. 5-6) or any other suitablefacility or equipment, depending on the chosen program guideimplementation. For example, main facility 102 may identify blackoutdata in transmissions from external information service 110 (FIG. 1)(e.g., a sports team or television station front office). As anotherexample, distribution facility 202 (FIGS. 2-6) or distribution facility708 (FIG. 7) may identify a blackout when a program with an increasedbandwidth requirement is scheduled to be broadcast (e.g., bandwidthblackout of a neighboring channel). Still another example, Internetservice system 302 (FIGS. 3, 4, and 6) or Internet service system 704(FIG. 7) may identify blackout data on an Internet source, such as on asports team website.

Blackout data may be generated at step 2904. Blackout data may be anydata related to a blackout that may be used by the interactive programguide to provide programming blackout features. Any suitable facility,service, or location may generate programming blackout data. Forexample, an operator at main facility 102 may manually enter listinginformation for the blackout into a program guide database. As anotherexample, external information service 110 (FIG. 1) (e.g., a sports teamfront office) may generate ticket purchase information for a venueprotection blackout. Still another example, user television equipment204 (FIGS. 2-6, and 8-9) or server 502 (FIGS. 5-6) may generate blackoutdata by retrieving replacement media from a program guide database.Still another example, external information service 110 (FIG. 1) maygenerate blackout data by creating replacement media (e.g., a sportsteam front office editing a highlight film that is displayed when asporting event is blacked out). Yet another example, the program guiderunning on server 502 (FIGS. 5-6) or user television equipment 204(FIGS. 2-6, and 8-9) may generate a set of replacement mediarecommendations for a blacked-out program based on user viewing habits.Still another example, the program guide running on server 502 (FIGS.5-6) or user television equipment 204 (FIGS. 2-6, and 8-9) may generateblackout data for an affiliate protection blackout when a localaffiliate channel and a national channel have scheduled the sameprogram.

In some embodiments, the facility or location that generates theblackout data may be the same facility or location that identifies theblackout. For example, distribution facility 202 (FIGS. 2-6) ordistribution facility 708 (FIG. 7) may identify a fast-paced sportingevent that requires additional bandwidth and may generate program guideblackout data that indicates program guide display screen changes. Inanother example, the program guide running on set-top box 804 (FIG. 8)may identify that the same program is scheduled to be broadcast on anational channel and a local affiliate channel and may generate blackoutdata that indicates an affiliate protection blackout. Still anotherexample, the program guide running on user television equipment 204(FIGS. 2-6, and 8-9) may identify that an invalid purchase price hasbeen set for a blacked-out pay-per-view program by server 502 (FIGS.5-6), main facility 102 (FIG. 1), external information service 110 (FIG.1), Internet service system 302 (FIGS. 3, 4, and 6), or other facilityand may generate a list of recommended replacement media for theprogram.

In other embodiments, a first facility may identify a blackout and asecond facility may generate the programming blackout data. For example,a television station headquarters or sports franchise may fax a list ofprograms or events that will not be broadcast to distribution facility202 (FIGS. 2-6) or to distribution facility 708 (FIG. 7), and anoperator at distribution facility 202 or distribution facility 708 maymanually enter the data into a program guide database. As anotherexample, server 502 (FIG. 6) may convert data from an Internet webpage(e.g., accessed via Internet service provider 302 (FIG. 6)) into programguide blackout data. Still another example, main facility 102 (FIG. 1)may transmit blackout data from multiple external information services110 (FIG. 1) to application equipment 106 (FIGS. 1-7) in a singletransmission.

At step 2906, programming blackout data may be transmitted to theprogram guide. Transmission may depend on, for example, where theblackout data was created and on the arrangement of the system. Forexample, if external information service 110 (FIG. 1) generatesprogramming blackout data, external information service 110 may transmitthe data to main facility 102 (FIG. 1). Main facility 102 may thentransmit the data to interactive application equipment 112 (FIGS. 1-7).As another example, server 502 (FIGS. 5-6) may provide blackout data toa guide client (e.g., user television equipment 204 (FIGS. 5-6, and8-9)) upon request by the client. Still another example, distributionfacility 202 (FIGS. 2-6) may transmit replacement media to usertelevision equipment 202 (FIGS. 2-6) for storage in the event that ablackout occurs. In yet another example, Internet service system 302(FIGS. 3, 4, and 6) may transmit blackout data to user televisionequipment 204, distribution facility 202, or other suitable facility, ormay transfer blackout data from one Internet location to anotherInternet location, such as from a sports team website to a program guidewebsite.

At step 2908, programming blackout data is received by the interactiveprogram guide system. For example, a user television equipment 204program guide client may extract blackout data from, for example,carousel-based transmissions of server 502 (FIGS. 5-6). As anotherexample, server 502 (FIGS. 5-6) may receive blackout data from mainfacility 102 (FIG. 1), external information service 110 (FIG. 1),Internet service system 302, or other facility. Still another example,main facility (FIG. 1) may receive stored blackout data from programguide data source 104 (FIG. 1). Note that in instances in which theprogram guide (e.g., the program guide running on user televisionequipment 204 (FIGS. 1-4, 8, and 9)) generates blackout data (e.g.,generates control data that instructs set-top box 804 (FIG. 8) to tuneto a local affiliate channel in response to user selection of a nationalchannel based the program guide observing a similarity in the programschedules of the local affiliate and the national channel), steps 2906and 2908 of the method of FIG. 29 may not be necessary. Particularly, ininstances in which the program guide generates blackout data, the methodfor supporting blackout features in an interactive program guide may nothave separate steps for transmitting blackout data to and receivingblackout data with the program guide.

At step 2910, the program guide may use the blackout data to provideblackout features. For example, server 502 (FIGS. 5-6), user televisionequipment 204 (FIGS. 2-6, and 8-9), Internet service system 302 (FIGS.3, 4, and 6), Internet service system 704 (FIG. 7), external informationservice 110 (FIG. 1), or other program guide equipment may generateprogram guide screens that include blackout data and provide blackoutfeatures. The program guide may, for example, automatically tune to alocal affiliate channel (e.g., when a national channel with ablacked-out program is accessed by a user), tune to a dedicated channelthat contains replacement media, access an Internet site that providesticket purchase information (e.g., for a venue protection blackout), ordisplay other program guide display screens in response to a userselecting a blacked-out program.

In some embodiments, the blackout features provided by the program guidemay depend on the amount of time that remains before a blackout. Forexample, the program guide running on user television equipment 204(FIGS. 2-6, and 8-9), server 502 (FIGS. 5-6), or other program guideequipment that generates program guide display screens, may generatedisplay screens having eye-catching blackout indicators or icons forblackouts that will occur within a given time period (e.g., immediately,within the hour, within the day) as opposed to more subdued indicatorsor icons for blackouts that will occur within another time period (e.g.,more than a week away). As another example, Internet service system 302(FIGS. 3, 4, and 6) or other equipment may email a user with a blackoutnotice for programs that will be blacked out within a given time period.

In some embodiments, the amount of advance notice given for a blackoutmay determine the method of blackout data transmission used by theprogram guide. Turning to FIG. 30, illustrative substeps of step 2906 ofFIG. 29 are shown. At step 3002, the date and time of a scheduledblackout may be identified. For example, an operator at main facility102 (FIG. 1) may read the dates and times of blackouts from a televisionstation front-office email. As another example, the program guiderunning on server 502 (FIGS. 5-6) may process blackout data sent frommain facility 102 (FIG. 1), Internet service system 302 (FIGS. 3, 4, and6), external information service 110 (FIG. 1), or other suitablefacility or location. The approximate amount of time that varioustransmission methods require to effectively inform necessary portions ofthe interactive program guide system may be calculated at step 3004.Based on blackout information and the time required to provide theinformation using various transmission methods, an optimal transmissionmethod may be chosen at step 3006. For example, a computer at mainfacility 102 (e.g., program guide data source 104) may choose the methodwhich may not only provide blackout data in a timely fashion but mayalso take cost and resource (e.g., bandwidth) issues into account. For ablackout known well in advance, main facility 102 (FIG. 1) may includeblackout data in regular schedule localization transmissions as opposedto sending separate transmissions, despite the fact that both methodsmay effectively provide accurate program guide data to the interactiveprogram guide application. As another example, server 502 (FIGS. 5-6)may provide blackout data in a carousel-based approach as opposed to,for example, upon user request, when a blackout is scheduled to occurwith a short time period of the present time. Still another example,external information service 110 (FIG. 1), main facility 102 (FIG. 1),Internet service provider 302 (FIGS. 3, 4, and 6), or other facility orlocation may transmit blackout data directly to user televisionequipment 204 (FIGS. 2-6, and 8-9) when a program is scheduled to beblacked out within a given time period (e.g., immediately, within thathour, within that day, etc.).

In some embodiments, main facility 102 (FIG. 1), distribution facility204 (FIGS. 2-6), server 502 (FIGS. 5-6), Internet service system 302(FIGS. 3, 4, and 6) or other facility or location may, when there issufficient time before a blackout, delay the transmission of blackoutdata until complete blackout data is obtained. For example, mainfacility 102 may delay transmission of blackout data to interactiveapplication equipment 106 (FIGS. 1-7) until the blackout type, blackoutchannel and time, availability of replacement media, recommended programlists, and other blackout data are identified for the blackout.

Illustrative substeps of selecting an optimal transmission method 3006in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention are shown inFIG. 31. At step 3102, the facilities or locations that transmit programguide blackout data (e.g., main facility 102 (FIG. 1), externalinformation service 110 (FIG. 1), distribution facility 204 (FIGS. 2-6),Internet service system 302 (FIGS. 3, 4, and 6), an Internet source onInternet service system 302, server 502 (FIGS. 5-6) or any otherfacility or location that transmits program guide blackout data) maydetermine the amount of time that remains before a blackout is scheduledto occur. The facilities or locations that transmit blackout data mayutilize the information from steps 3002 and 3004 of FIG. 30 to determineif there is sufficient time to transmit blackout data to variousportions of the program guide, and to determine if in doing so, a userwill be provided with enough notice of the blackout to avoidinconvenience that may result from inaccurate program listings (e.g.,ordering a pay-per-view program when it is not available, setting areminder for a blacked-out program, setting a record option for ablacked out program, etc.). It may be advantageous for a program guideuser to receive all blackout data for a program at a given time. Forexample, incorporating all blackout data into a single schedulelocalization may provide for a complete set of options for a blacked-outprogram and allow a user to plan a viewing schedule accordingly. Forexample, when information display screens are generated by the programguide without complete blackout data, the user may be misinformed inmuch the same way inaccurate program listings misinform the user.Replacement media targeted to user viewing habits may be less likely tobe seen by a user when replacement media data for a blacked-out programis provided by the program guide subsequent to other blackout data thatindicates no replacement media is available. As another example,transmitting complete blackout data may reduce the number of necessarytransmissions and may reduce system traffic. For example, in aclient-server arrangement, such as the client-server arrangements ofFIGS. 5-6, a program guide server (e.g, server 502) may periodicallytransmit blackout data to a client (e.g., user television equipment 204(FIGS. 5-6, and 8-9)). If complete blackout information is transmittedin a single transmission, subsequent transmissions which may occupyvaluable bandwidth in a client-server communications path may beavoided.

If insufficient time remains before a blackout is scheduled to occur(e.g., waiting for complete blackout data would provide a likelihoodthat a user will be inconvenienced), the facilities or locations thattransmit blackout data may transmit the blackout data that is currentlyavailable at step 3104. If sufficient time remains before a blackout isscheduled to occur, the facilities or locations that transmit blackoutdata may delay blackout data transmission and wait for additionalblackout data at step 3106. For example, a sports team front office(e.g., external information service 110 (FIG. 1)) may provide mainfacility 102 (FIG. 1) with venue protection blackout data indicating thedate, time, and channel of a venue protection blackout, and may indicatethat replacement media for a program will follow shortly. Main facility102 may assign a cutoff date after which the initial blackout data,including the date, time, and channel of the blackout, will betransmitted to interactive application equipment 106 (FIGS. 1-7) with orwithout replacement media.

The facilities or locations that transmit blackout data may determine(e.g, continuously, daily, weekly, etc.) if complete blackout data hasbeen received at step 3108. For example, main facility 102 (FIG. 1) maydetermine if the blackout data received from, for example, externalinformation service 110 (FIG. 1) is sufficient for the program guide toprovide desired blackout features (e.g., a description of theblacked-out program, ticket purchase information for a venue protectionblackout, replacement media recommendations for the blacked-out program,automatic tuning to a local affiliate channel for an affiliateprotection blackout, etc.). If complete blackout data has not beenreceived, the program guide may then re-evaluate if sufficient timeremains before a blackout at step 3102. If complete blackout data hasbeen received, main facility 102 (FIG. 1), distribution facility 202(FIGS. 2-6), server 502 (FIGS. 5-6), distribution facility 708 (FIG. 7),external information service 110 (FIG. 1) or other suitable facility orlocation may transmit the blackout data to various portions of theprogram guide system. As previously described, transmitting blackoutdata to and receiving blackout data with the program guide may not benecessary in instances in which the program guide generates blackoutdata. Particularly, when a program guide running on, for example,set-top box 804 (FIG. 8) generates blackout data the methods describedin FIGS. 30-31 may not be utilized.

FIG. 32 is an illustrative flowchart of a method for updating programguide display screens and providing blackout features. In the embodimentof FIG. 32, blackout data may be received (or generated) by the programguide at step 3202. For example, main facility 102 (FIG. 1) may receiveblackout data from external information service 110 (FIG. 1). As anotherexample, user television equipment 204 may receive blackout data fromserver 502 (FIGS. 5-6) in a client-server arrangement. Still anotherexample, the program guide may notice a similarity in the programscheduling of a local affiliate and a national channel and generateaffiliate protection blackout data. In the embodiment of FIG. 32,program guide options for a blacked-out program may at least partiallyspecific to the blackout type of the blacked-out program. At step 3204,the program guide may determine if the blackout is an affiliateprotection blackout. If the blackout is an affiliate protectionblackout, the program guide may provide affiliate-protection-specificblackout options at step 3206. For example, the program guide mayautomatically tune to the local affiliate channel showing theblacked-out program when the program listing for the program on thenational channel is selected. As another example, a reminder or recordoption for the affiliate channel program may automatically be set if theuser had a reminder or record option set for the blacked-out program onthe national channel. If the blackout is not an affiliate protectionblackout, the program guide may determine if the blackout is a venueprotection blackout at step 3208. If the blackout is a venue protectionblackout, the program guide may provide venue-protection-specificblackout options at step 3210. For example, venue front office contactsand ticket purchase information for the venue that requested theblackout of its event may be provided in program guide screens. Asanother example, a link to an Internet venue website may be provided.

At step 3212, the program guide may determine if replacement media orreplacement media recommendations may be provided, given the blackoutdata received at step 3202. For example, server 502 (FIGS. 5-6) maydetermine if a user viewing history correlates with potentialreplacement media (e.g., television programs that are in the same dateand time slots). As another example, user television equipment 202(FIGS. 2-6) or personal computer 702 (FIG. 7) may determine ifreplacement media associated with a blacked-out program is stored in alocal storage device (e.g., secondary storage device (808, 908) ordigital storage device (820, 906)). If replacement media or replacementmedia recommendations are not available, the program guide may providethe received blackout data at step 3216 (e.g., blackout type, blackoutdate, time, and channel, description of blacked-out program). Ifreplacement media and/or replacement media recommendations areavailable, the program guide may provide replacement media and/orreplacement media recommendations at step 3214. For example, usertelevision equipment 204 (FIGS. 2-6, and 8-9) may selectively receive ortune to specific replacement media using communications device (812,904) and display the replacement media when a user accesses the listingof a blacked-out program. As another example, the program guide maygenerate information display screens with targeted replacement mediarecommendations. At step 3216, the program guide may provide the userwith the blackout data received at step 3202.

FIG. 33 shows an illustrative flowchart for providing blackout featuresfor blacked-out pay-per-view programs in accordance with one embodimentof the present invention. At step 3302, pay-per-view program blackoutdata may be received by the program guide. For example, set-top box 804(FIG. 8) may receive pay-per-view blackout data from distributionfacility 202 (FIGS. 2-6), distribution facility 708 (FIG. 7), server 502(FIGS. 5-6), Internet service system 302 (FIGS. 3, 4, and 6), or anyother facility or location that may provide data that indicates theavailability of pay-per-view programs. The program guide may thendetermine whether a user has pre-ordered a pay-per-view program that hassubsequently been blacked out at step 3304. For example, in theclient-server arrangements of FIGS. 5 and 6, server 502 may maintain alist of ordered pay-per-view programs and determine whether any of theprograms in the list have been blacked out. As another example, astand-alone program guide running on user television equipment 204(FIGS. 2-6, and 8-9) may continuously check a list of orderedpay-per-view programs for inclusion of blacked-out programs. If noblacked-out pay-per-view programs have been previously ordered by theuser, the program guide may update program guide displays and functionsbased on the received blackout data at step 3306. For example, server502 (FIGS. 5-6) may remove blacked-out pay-per-view programs from thelist of available pay-per-view programs or provide a list of recommendedreplacement media when a negative purchase price has been associatedwith a pay-per-view program.

If blacked-out pay-per-view programs have been previously ordered by theuser, the program guide may display a blackout notice at step 3308. Forexample, the program guide running user television equipment 204 (FIGS.2-6, 8 and 9) may generate and display an overlay that informs the userof a pay-per-view program blackout and that provides blackout features.The program guide may provide the user with the option to view a list ofrecommended replacement media at step 3310. In response touser-selection of the option to view a list of replacement media at step3312, the program guide may display a list of recommended replacementmedia 3314. The recommended replacement media may have similar programattributes as the blacked-out program, may be user-targeted, may be adifferent showing of the blacked-out program, or may be recommended bythe program guide for any other suitable reason. In some embodiments,the program guide may automatically display a list of recommendedreplacement media when a pay-per-view program that has been previouslyordered by the user is blacked out. The user may then, as previouslydescribed, update program guide displays and functions at step 3306.

FIG. 34 shows an illustrative flowchart for updating reminder and recordlists in response to blackouts in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention. At step, 3402 blackout data may be received by theprogram guide. For example, set-top box 804 (FIG. 8) may receiveblackout data from distribution facility 202 (FIGS. 2-6), distributionfacility 708 (FIG. 7), server 502 (FIGS. 5-6), main facility 102 (FIG.1), external information service 110 (FIG. 1), Internet service system302 (FIGS. 3, 4, and 6). The program guide may then check reminder andrecord lists for blacked-out programs at step 3404. For example, server502 may maintain the reminder and record lists in the client-serverarrangements of FIGS. 5 and 6 and may check if any of the programs inthe lists have been blacked out. As another example, a stand-aloneprogram guide running on user television equipment 202 (FIGS. 2-6, and8-9) may continuously check reminder and record lists for inclusion ofblacked-out programs. At step 3406, if no programs in the reminder orrecord lists are blacked-out programs, no change to the reminder andrecord settings may be made. At step 3408, reminder and record settingsmay then be disabled for all blacked-out programs such that a user doesnot subsequently set the options for blacked-out programs. If thereminder or record lists include blacked-out programs, the lists may bechanged to prevent the reminding for and recording of blacked-outprograms at step 3410. For example, the program guide may automaticallyremove the blacked-out program from the remind or record list, and mayset a record or remind option for replacement media. Reminder and recordsettings may then be disabled for all blacked-out programs such that auser cannot subsequently set the options at step 3408.

In some embodiments, step 3410 and step 3406 may be logically be thesame step. For example, in a program guide running on user televisionequipment 204 (FIGS. 1-4, and 8-9), server 502 (FIGS. 5-6), or otherprogram guide equipment, reminder and record lists may constitute listsof identifiers or pointers which indicate or “point to” particularprograms, such that changes to the programs automatically constitutechanges in the lists.

FIG. 35 shows illustrative substeps for step 3410 (FIG. 34). At step3502, a blacked-out program may be removed from the reminder or recordlists. At step 3504, the interactive program guide may provide the userwith the option to set a reminder or record option for replacementmedia. For example, a list of user-selectable, targeted replacementmedia recommendations may be displayed in program guide informationscreens. Upon receipt of user selection of replacement media at step3506, the interactive program guide may add the replacement media to thereminder or record list 3508.

In some embodiments, the interactive program guide may automaticallyreplace a blacked-out program in the reminder or record list withreplacement media. Turning to FIG. 36, another embodiment of step 3410(FIG. 34) is shown. At step 3602, the program guide may remove ablacked-out program from the reminder or record lists. The interactiveprogram guide may automatically set a reminder option or a record optionfor replacement media at step 3604. For example, the interactive programguide may automatically set a reminder or record option for replacementmedia with similar program attributes as the blacked-out program removedfrom the reminder or record list. As another example, the program guidemay automatically set a reminder or record option for a program that hassimilar attributes as a user viewing history that is maintained by theprogram guide when a program on the reminder or record list is blackedout. As another example, the program guide may automatically set areminder for replacement media that is a different showing (i.e.,available on a different channel or at a different time) of theblacked-out program.

Thus, an interactive program guide with blackout support and features isprovided. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the presentinvention can be practiced by other than the described embodiments,which are presented for purposes of illustration rather than oflimitation, and the present invention is limited only by the claims thatfollow.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for supporting programming blackouts inan interactive program guide, the system comprising: control circuitryconfigured to: receive an indication from a user of a blacked-outprogram with the interactive program guide; and in response to receivingthe user indication, identify at least one replacement media selectionfor the blacked-out program.
 2. The system of claim 1 wherein thecontrol circuitry is configured to receive the indication from the userof the blacked-out program from a program listings display.
 3. Thesystem of claim 1 wherein the control circuitry is configured to receivethe indication from the user of the blacked-out program from a FLIPdisplay.
 4. The system of claim 1 wherein the control circuitry isconfigured to receive the indication from the user of the blacked-outprogram from a record list display.
 5. The system of claim 1 wherein thecontrol circuitry is configured to receive the indication from the userof the blacked-out program from a reminder list display.
 6. The systemof claim 1 wherein the control circuitry is configured to identify atleast one replacement media selection with a similar program attributeas the blacked-out program.
 7. The system of claim 6 wherein the similarprogram attribute is selected from the group consisting of a programtitle, a program genre, an actor, and a director.
 8. The system of claim1 wherein the control circuitry is further configured to maintain a userviewing history for at least one user and identify at least onereplacement media selection with a similar program attribute as the userviewing history.
 9. The system of claim 1 wherein the control circuitryis configured to identify a different showing of the blacked-outprogram.
 10. The system of claim 9 wherein the different showing isavailable on a different channel or at a different time than theblacked-out program.
 11. The system of claim 1 wherein the controlcircuitry is configured to display a list of the identified at least onereplacement media selection.
 12. The system of claim 11 wherein thecontrol circuitry is further configured to: receive a user selectionfrom the list; and tune to the selected replacement media selection inresponse to the user selection.